Dinolfos

{{Infobox Enemy
|name      = Dinolfos 
|image     = [[File:Dinolfos (Twilight Princess).png|A Dinolfos from Twilight Princess]]
|caption   = A Dinolfos from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]''
|firstgame = ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]'' ([[1998]])
|games     = ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time|Ocarina of Time]]''<br />''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask|Majora's Mask]]''<br />''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess|Twilight Princess]]''<br />''[[Hyrule Warriors]]''<br />''[[Hyrule Warriors Legends]]''
|found = (<u>''Ocarina of Time''</u>)<br />[[Gerudo's Training Ground]]<br />[[Ganon's Castle|Ganon's Tower]]<br />(<u>''Majora's Mask''</u>)<br />[[Woodfall Temple]]<br />[[Snowhead Temple]]<br />[[Secret Shrine]]<br />[[Moon Dungeons|Moon Dungeon]]<br />(<u>''Twilight Princess''</u>)<br />[[Temple of Time (Twilight Princess)|Temple of Time]]<br />[[City in the Sky]]<br />[[Cave of Ordeals]]<br />[[Hyrule Castle (Twilight Princess)|Hyrule Castle]]
|weapon    = Sword<br />Fiery breath<br />(<u>''Ocarina of Time''</u>)<br />[[Deku Nut]]s
|eweapon   = [[Sword]]<br />[[Bomb Arrow]]s
|spoils    =(<u>''Hyrule Warriors''/''Legends''</u>)<br />[[Dinolfos Fang]] (Bronze Material drop)<br />[[Dinolfos Arm Guard]] (Silver Material drop)
}}
{{Q|Use your shield well and fight with (Z) Targeting techniques!|[[Navi]]}}
{{Nihongo|'''Dinolfos'''|ダイナフォス|Dainafosu|Dinafos}}, also referred to as '''Dinofols''' or '''Dynalfos''', are recurring enemies in the [[The Legend of Zelda series|''Legend of Zelda'' series]]. They are anthropomorphic reptiles clad in partial body armor and an often roughly triangular loincloth , and wield bladed weapons. In some games, they have the ability to breath fire. They are similar to the [[Lizalfos]] race, but are more dangerous.

Dinolfos can be defeated by using the [[shield]] to defend oneself against their attacks, and retaliating immediately after their strikes. Openings in their defense can also be found and used against them, all the while using the shield to guard. [[Deku Nut]]s are particularly effective in stunning them and leaving them entirely vulnerable to attack.

== Appearances ==
=== ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]'' ===
Dinolfos appear in the [[Gerudo's Training Ground]] and [[Inside Ganon's Castle]]. In the ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time#The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest|The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Master Quest]]'', they also appear in the [[Spirit Temple]]. They cannot breathe fire, and largely act as a more powerful version of Lizalfos.

==== Navi's Note ====
{{Navi's Note|Use your shield well and fight with (Z) Targeting techniques!}}

=== ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask]]'' ===
[[File:Dinolfos (Majora's Mask).png|left|thumb|140px|A Dinofos from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask|Majora's Mask]]'']]
Dinofols breathe fire in this installment and wield longer, axe-like weapons. Dinofols always breath fire after being hit, and will also often do so after dodging back from an attack. This is particularly dangerous for [[Deku Mask|Deku Link]] and [[Zora Mask|Zora Link]] as they are vulnerable to fire. A Dinofols guards the [[Hero's Bow]] in [[Woodfall Temple]], serving as the game's first proper [[mini-boss]]. A pair encountered in [[Snowhead Temple]] hold [[Stray Fairy|Stray Fairies]], and a trio of Dinofols are fought in the [[Secret Shrine]]. Also, one more blocks a doorway in the [[Hylian]] [[Moon Dungeons|Moon Dungeon]]. Dinofols will not take the extra damage usually dealt by [[Fire Arrow]]s, only receiving the damage of a normal arrow. Dinofols are not affected by the [[Stone Mask]]. They wore enormous breastplates and leg plating. For clothing, just a white simple loincloth.
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==== Tatl's Note ====
{{Tatl's Note|Use targeting methods while defending. And watch out for its fiery breath!}}

=== ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess]]'' ===
Dynalfos are found in various locations, most notably in the [[Cave of Ordeals]]. Link's first encounter with them occurs in the [[Temple of Time (Twilight Princess)|Temple of Time]]. These reptilian enemies are more dangerous than Lizalfos, being larger, more powerful, and heavily armored. They are some of the most difficult regular enemies in the game, as they tend to block attacks with their large shields until Link leaves himself open, at which point they counterattack with their massive axes or blade-tipped tails.

The simplest way of defeating Dynalfos is to wait for them to raise their weapons and hit them when they lower their shields, but the timing is difficult, especially if they use their tail swipe. Fortunately, [[Link]] can use a variety of techniques to dispatch Dynalfos; one is to continually use the [[Shield Attack]] on them, followed by the [[Helm Splitter]]. Quickly following a Helm Splitter with a [[Great Spin Attack]] will dispatch a Dynalfos. It is also effective to strike them with a [[Bomb Arrow]], but this only works if they have not noticed Link. This can be useful even if Link misses, as all the Dynalfos within a certain range will rush to investigate any explosions, leaving them easy targets.

The [[Ending Blow]] is difficult to perform against Dynalfos, but not impossible. Since they are well-armored, the most effective attack is the [[Mortal Draw]], because it can instantly kill them. However, the Mortal Draw does not always work since Dynalfos can sometimes block it with their shields. The [[Back Slice]] can also be effective against them, but multiple attempts may be necessary before Link can catch them off guard. Also if timed perfectly, the [[Jump Strike]] and the Great Spin Attack will kill them in one hit as well.

Dynalfos are easily defeated by the [[Ball and Chain]], if Link spins it around his head and moves towards them. The enemies will either charge at Link only to run into the whirling Ball, or raise their shields and defend, allowing Link to force them into a wall or trigger an attack.

Dynalfos can jump a short distance to cross pits, though they are vulnerable to attack immediately after their jump. This is rarely a factor, but it can give Link an advantage in areas such as the [[City in the Sky]].

== Other appearances ==
{{subseries}}
=== ''[[Hyrule Warriors]]''/''[[Hyrule Warriors Legends|Legends]]'' ===
[[File:Hyrule Warriors Dragons Dinolfos (Render).png|right|270px|Promotional Render of a Dinolfos from ''[[Hyrule Warriors]]'']]
Dinolfos appear as enemy officers, and are similar to Lizalfos, but show their weak point gauge less often and performs slightly different attacks than Lizalfos does in-game. While Lizalfos are based on their ''Ocarina of Time'' incarnations, Dinolfos appear to be a combination between the ''Skyward Sword'' incarnation of Lizalfos and the ''Ocarina of Time'' and ''Majora's Mask'' incarnation of Dinolfos, with shape coming from ''Skyward Sword'', with the equipment and coloring of ''Ocarina of Time'' and ''Majora's Mask'' incarnations. In the game, they refer to themself as members of the [[Dragon]] race, indicating that they are species of flightless dragon, which may explain their ability to breath fire. There is also a ''Dark'' shadowy variant called Dark Dinolfos.

One Dinolfos is called [[Dinolfos Chieftain]], a Dinolfos slightly larger than its brethren who is capable of speech. Dinolfos Chieftain is a general of [[Volga's Forces]] and one of Volga's loyal servants/generals along with [[Lizalfos Chieftain]]. After Volga is brainwashed to serve Cia, he and the rest of Volga's Forces become part of Cia's [[Dark Forces]]. In ''Hyrule Warriors Legends'', his role is expanded and Dinolfos Chieftain (along with Lizalfos) appears in the main story as well as ''Linkle's Tale: Powers Collide''. They had a massive triangular loincloth held on by chains. And a red rupee on their chestplate. 
{{endsubseries}}

== Etymology ==
The name of the Dinolfos is most likely a derivative of the Greek "deino" which means "terrible", a term famously used in the word "dinosaur". The "-fos" suffix is shared with the names of other enemies in ''The Legend of Zelda'' series such as [[Stalfos]], [[Lizalfos]], and [[Aeralfos]].
==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Hyrule Warriors 8-bit Sprites 8-Bit Dinolfos (Adventure Mode Sprite).png|8-Bit Dinolfos [[Adventure Mode]] sprite from the [[Hyrule Warriors series|''Hyrule Warriors'' series]]
Hyrule Warriors Dinolfos (Dialog Box Portrait).png|Dialog Box Portrait used of Dinolfos & [[Dinolfos Chieftain]] from ''[[Hyrule Warriors]]''
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Darkhammer]]
* [[Lizalfos]]
* [[Aeralfos]]

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[[es:Dinolfos]]